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Singapore Selection Aim To Defend Cup

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

The Singapore Selection will be looking to defend The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup (TSSC) crown on home soil when they take on a Selangor Selection side at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub on 6 May 2017 (Saturday).

At a press conference held at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, a 21-man strong Singapore Selection squad was unveiled.

Stipe Plazibat of Home United - who is currently the S.League top scorer with 11 goals so far - makes the Singapore Selection squad for the second year running, while the likes of national team players such as Hassan Sunny, Hariss Harun and Khairul Amri will also be involved.

Apart from Plazibat, three players who were part of last year’s team that beat Selangor Selection on penalties in Shah Alam have been included again. They are namely Plazibat’s club mate Khairul Nizam, Faritz Hameed of Geylang International and Zulfahmi Arifin of Hougang United.

Taking charge of the Singapore Selection this year is Fandi Ahmad, and the former national striker was thrilled at being given the opportunity to do so.

“It’s an honour for me to be here to lead the team this year,” he said.

“I think it's a good blend of youngsters and seniors that we have but we are hoping to get our best team available. If we can do that, hopefully everything will go well.”

And Fandi has vowed to go on the offensive against their counterparts from Selangor.

“We definitely want to see a lot of attacking football,” he shared.

“We need to score goals and entertain fans by playing a good style of football. At the same time, we hope to demonstrate some skills against the Malaysians. We will have one more training session after Wednesday and we will try to gel as a team.

“i think it will be a good game of football. Like I said, we want to attack and score goals we will be going out for a win.”

Echoing Fandi’s sentiments was Mr Teo Hock Seng, Co-Chairman of the TSSC, who said: “It is with great pride we have this event on the 6th of May.

“I’ve seen the list and I believe we have the best players out there in every position. The willingness to want to play is very high and I’m glad we’ve got the S.League’s blessing in this and that’s important.

With approximately hundred buses coming from up north and almost 25,000 tickets sold so far, Fandi has urged Singaporeans fans to come down and show their support.

“I hope to see the stadium at full capacity,” the 53-year-old said. “We have not had a big game like this for so many years. This being the 16th TSSC, and the first time we are playing at the National Stadium, hopefully we can play good attacking football and bring back some cheer to the fans.”

Having returned to the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League with Warriors FC this year, Singapore captain Shahril Ishak has been included in the Singapore Selection squad and he is raring to go.

“I’m glad to be part of the team and it’s a good feeling to be able to represent the Singapore Selection,” the 33-year-old enthused.

“It’s been awhile, eight years away from the S.League.

“We will try our best and win the game and I hope Singapore fans will come down in numbers to support us. Hopefully we will have a good game.”

Tickets for the match are priced at $8 for Adults and $3 for Concession*. They will be available from 9.00am on 3 April 2017 via www.sportshubtix.com, and from 10.00am via the SportsHub Box Office, SingPost outlets and the Sports Hub hotline (+65 3158 7888).

Above-mentioned ticket prices exclude ticketing fee.

* Concession tickets are applicable to Students aged 4 to 16, and Senior Citizens aged 60 and above. Children aged 4 and above must purchase a ticket for admission. Infant in arms and children under 4 years of age may be admitted free of charge provided they do not occupy a seat.